What is Islam?
Islam is a complete way of life. It is the same way of life that was practiced by all the Prophets and Messengers of God including Adam, Abraham, Noah, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). The word 'Islam' is derived from the Arabic word 'salam' which means peace. It also comes from the root word 'aslama' which means to accept, surrender or submit. Essentially therefore Islam means peace which is obtained through sincere submission and obedience to the One True God. Islam recognizes that inner peace and tranquility in this life and the Hereafter can be achieved only by worshipping The Creator, and living our life on his terms. Islam makes clear the purpose of our creation, our final destiny and our place among other creatures. It also clearly defines our relationship with our Creator, our fellow human beings, plants, animals and the environment.
What is a Muslim?
A Muslim is a person who voluntarily submits him or herself to the will of the One True God and worships Him alone without partners. By doing so a Muslim becomes a humble servant of God and not a slave to his/her lusts and desires. There are over 1.6 billion Muslims in the world today which includes people from all races and ethnic backgrounds. Islam is not exclusively a religion of the Arabs. The majority of Muslims in the world today are non-Arabic speaking people, a testament to the fact that Islam is a universal religion.
Who is Allah?
Allah is the Arabic name for God, the Creator of the Universe. He is the Creator of everyone and everything that exists. Allah does not mean 'the God of the Muslims' as some people wrongly believe. Rather, it is the name the Creator has chosen for himself. Interestingly, Arab Christians and Jews also use the name 'Allah' to describe the one true God. Allah is the Lord of Adam, Abraham, Noah, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad and all the Prophets and Messengers (peace be upon them all) chosen by Him to guide humanity. Through these noble messengers Allah delivered revelation in the form of books like the Torah, Gospel, Psalms and Quran. Believing in and respecting all the Prophets and Holy Books (in their original form) is a central part of Islamic faith.
Allah is uniquely one without partners and He alone is worthy of our worship. Allah created everything yet He was not created. He does not therefore have a beginning (birth) or an end (death). Allah does not have a son, daughter or family. He does not need anyone, yet all of us depend on him for our existence and livelihood.
Allah is uniquely one without partners and He alone is worthy of our worship. Allah created everything yet He was not created. He does not therefore have a beginning (birth) or an end (death). Allah does not have a son, daughter or family. He does not need anyone, yet all of us depend on him for our existence and livelihood.
What the scriptures say about God, our Creator:
Old testament
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.
(Deuteronomy 6:4)
Thou shalt have none other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth.
(Deuteronomy 5:7-8)
Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me.
(Isaiah 46:9)
New testament
And the Father (God) that sent me, he hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form.
(John 5:37)
...the Father (God) is greater than I.
(John 1:18)
I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.
(John 5:30)
The Holy Quran
Say He is Allah, the Uniquely One
Allah, the Eternal, the Absolute
He is not the father of anyone, and He is not the son of anyone
And there is none like unto Him.
(Holy Quran, Chapter 112, Verses 1-4)
Allah, there is no god but Him, the Ever Living , the Ever Watchful.
No slumber can seize Him nor sleep.
All that is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Him.
Who is there that can intercede in His presence except as He permits?
He knows what (appears to his creatures as) before or after or behind them.
Nor shall they compass anything of His knowledge except as He wills.
His throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them.
For He is the Most High, the Supreme.
(Holy Quran, Chapter 2, Verse 255)
Who was Muhammad (peace be upon him)?
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the final in a line of Prophets and Messengers sent by Allah to guide mankind. He is called 'The Seal of the Prophets' as there will be no prophet to come after him until the Day of Judgement. The coming of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was foretold by Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) in the Gospel. The Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel (AS) over the course of 23 years.
